System and method for initiating a call using a phone hard-button and a screen dialer of a personal digital assistant

ABSTRACT

A system and method is described for managing phone calls initiated from a phone device of a personal digital assistant. In one example, a system for managing a phone call is described. The system comprises, among other things, a personal digital assistant. The personal digital assistant includes the following: a display device; a phone device; a call device configured to control the phone device and to display a selectable interface on the display device; a hard button configured to initiate the call device; and a selection mechanism configured to receive user selections from the selectable interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.09/675,406, entitled “A SYSTEM AND METHOD OF A PERSONAL COMPUTERPROVIDING TELEPHONE CAPABILITY,” filed Sep. 29, 2000, and assigned tothe assignee of the present application. The subject matter in theabove-identified co-pending and commonly owned applications isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to telecommunications and, moreparticularly, to providing phone applications in a portable computersystem.

2. Discussion of Background

Personal computer systems have become common tools in modern society. Toorganize their lives, many personal computer users use personalinformation management applications such as an address book and a dailyorganizer on their personal computers. Although such applications haveproven useful for personal information management, their utility islimited by the fact that the person must be sitting at their personalcomputer system to access the information.

To remedy this limitation, many palmtop computers, electronic organizersand other handheld devices, commonly known as personal digitalassistants (“PDA's”) have been introduced. A PDA is a computer that issmall enough to be held in the hand of a user and runs personalinformation management applications such as an address book, a dailyorganizer, and electronic notepads. These applications make people'slives easier.

The most popular brand of PDA is the Palm™ 10. However, the Palm™ 10 ismuch more than a simple PDA. A basic configuration of the Palm™ 10 isshown in FIG. 1. This small, slim, device, about the size of yourwallet, can hold 6000 addresses, 5 years of appointments, 1500 to-doitems, 1500 memos, 200 e-mail messages, and can run many differentsoftware applications.

The front panel of the Palm™ 10 is a large LCD screen 11, which istouch-sensitive and allows a user to enter and manipulate data. By usinga stylus (not shown) to interact with a touch-sensitive screen, a usermay easily navigate through a host of various software applications. Astylus is used to interact with information on a screen in much the sameway as a mouse on a desktop personal computer.

Many PDA's offer Internet connectivity, as well as a vast array ofhardware and software choices. PDA's have evolved into a new kind ofhandheld device that people use to instantly manage all kinds ofinformation, from email, to medical data, to stock reports.Unfortunately, to date, PDA's have had only modest success in themarketplace, due to their high price tags, as well as their usefulalthough limited applications.

In addition to being somewhat limited, many PDA applications havegenerally not been available in the PDA's counterpart—the mobile phone.Mobile phone manufacturers have taken the approach of trying tointegrate PDA functionality into their mobile phones. This approach hasseveral disadvantages. To fulfill their primary function of efficientlymaking phone calls, mobile phones are geared toward a different featureset from PDA's. For example, as one of the design aims for mobile phonesis ever-smaller size, Internet access is compromised. Mobile phones arean unattractive Internet access option because the screen on a mobilephone is typically much smaller than that of a PDA. A mobile phone cantypically display only a small fraction of the amount information that aPDA can display.

Generally, many applications that are user-friendly on a PDA would becumbersome in a mobile phone environment. Additional examples of suchapplications include inputting an address list and displaying a detailedrecord of calls. A mobile phone is therefore inherently unsuitable fornavigating through even the simplest of PDA applications.

PDA's and mobile phones have been manufactured to meet different designaims. PDA's are primarily designed to provide personal informationmanagement in a small, portable device. Mobile phones are primarilydesigned for efficiently making phone calls while on the go. A mobilephone environment is generally not geared for running PDA softwareapplications, including anything more than the lowest level of graphics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that what is needed is an efficient system forintegrating mobile phone functionality into a palmtop environment.Broadly speaking, the present invention fills these needs by providing asystem and method of managing phone calls initiated from a phone deviceof a personal digital assistant. It should be appreciated that thepresent invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an apparatus, a system, a device or a method. Several inventiveembodiments of the present invention are described below.

In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a call signal toinitiate a call device. A call device is initiated in response to thecall signal. Also, a selectable interface is displayed in response tothe call signal. A dial signal is received from the selectable interfaceto initiate a phone call. The phone call is then initiated in responseto the dial signal.

In another embodiment, the method further includes receiving a phonenumber for the phone call. Also, a save signal is received to save thephone number. An address entry application is then initiated in responseto receiving the save signal.

In still another embodiment, a system is disclosed for managing a phonecall. The system comprises, among other things, a personal digitalassistant, including the following: a display device; a phone device; acall device configured to control the phone device and to display aselectable interface on the display device; a hard button configured toinitiate the call device; and a selection mechanism configured toreceive user selections from the selectable interface.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a more convenient andefficient system for combining phone functionality with PDAfunctionality. Among other things, a user may utilize traditional mobilephone applications without having to deal with mobile phoneinconveniences. A computer environment is described for softwareapplications that require more robust computer systems and graphicscapabilities than a typical mobile phone can provide. The computerenvironment that is described not only fulfills these requirements, butalso has palm-size portability. Other embodiments, disclosed in detailbelow, illustrate how the present invention provides phone applicationsthat are ideally used within a PDA of the present invention.

The invention encompasses other embodiments of a method, an apparatus,and a computer-readable medium, which are configured as set forth aboveand with other features and alternatives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Tofacilitate this description, like reference numerals designate likestructural elements.

FIG. 1 shows a personal digital assistant (PDA).

FIG. 2 shows a personal digital assistant (PDA), in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a call device of the phone device of the PDA after a userhas started to input digits of a phone number, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a call device after a user pushes the talk button toinitiate a phone call, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a call device after a connection has been made, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a screen of an address entry application, appearing afterthe save button of the call device is pressed, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a call device after a name is inputted in the address entryapplication, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a call device after the mute button is pressed, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a call device after a phone call to the voicemailapplication has been initiated, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of managing phone calls initiatedfrom a phone device of a PDA, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a more detailed flowchart of the method of FIG. 10, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of managing a phone call initiatedfrom a phone device of a PDA, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon whichan embodiment of the invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An invention for a system and method of managing phone calls initiatedfrom a phone device of a personal digital assistant is disclosed. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beunderstood, however, to one skilled in the art, that the presentinvention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process operations have not beendescribed in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the presentinvention.

General Overview

FIG. 2 shows a personal digital assistant (PDA) 100, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Examples of a PDA include palmstyle computers, such as a Palm III™, Palm V™, or Palm VII™, organizers,manufactured by 3Com Corporation. Other embodiments of the inventioninclude Windows CE™ handheld computers, other handheld computers, andother personal digital assistants.

The Palm™ and its operating environment are used herein to illustratevarious aspects of the present invention. However, it should beunderstood that the present invention may be practiced on other devices,including other Palm™ models, PDA's, computer devices, PC's, notebooks,etc.

The PDA 100 shown in FIG. 2 is preferably a combination of a processorand memory, having a portable energy source, and being incased in PDAhousing 130. In one example, the PDA housing 130 is made of alightweight, durable plastic material, and is ergonomically designed tobe held in the palm of one hand. A PDA 100 combines computing,telephone/fax, and networking features, and can function as a cellularphone, fax sender, and personal organizer. A PDA 100 is preferablypen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This use ofa stylus means that a PDA 100 preferably incorporates handwritingrecognition features. In another embodiment, a PDA 100 can react tovoice input by using voice recognition technologies.

The PDA 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a plurality of hard buttons 128 anda display device 132 fixed in the PDA housing 130. The display device132 may be provided with a graphical user interface that allows a userto select and alter displayed content using a stylus. A plurality ofsoft buttons 126 for performing automated or pre-programmed functionsmay be provided on a portion of the display device.

In one embodiment, a soft button 126 is a tap recognizer. A taprecognizer is hardware, software, or combination thereof that includes atouch-sensitive portion of the display device 132. A tap recognizer isconfigured to initiate a predetermined routine when a user taps the softbutton 126. In an alternative embodiment, the display device 132 alsoincludes a Graffiti™ writing section 134 for tracing alphanumericcharacters as input.

Structural Overview

As shown in FIG. 2, a call device 101 is active on the display device101. A phone device in the PDA 100 runs the call device 101. The phonedevice is preferably implemented from software, hardware, or combinationthereof that allows a user to perform functions of a mobile phone. Suchmobile phone functions may include, for example, dialing phone numbers,placing phone calls, receiving phone calls, and receiving voicemail.When the PDA 100 is performing functions of a mobile phone, a mobilephone indicator 122, preferably located near the top portion of thescreen of the PDA 100, is activated.

When the call device 101 is displayed on the screen of PDA 100, the PDA100 preferably indicates by a phone status icon 124 that the call device101 is in dialer mode. The call device 101 preferably includes a dialerpad 102, which allows a user to input numbers, letters, punctuation, orother symbols into the call device 101. Digits may be inputted, forexample, to dial a phone number or to load a phone number into a memoryof the PDA 100. Letters may be inputted, for example, to load a person'sname, address, or other information into memory of the PDA 100.

The call device 101 of FIG. 2 is shown while the call device 101 is instandby mode. The power of the PDA 101 is on, and the call device 101 isactivated. However, the PDA 100 is neither receiving nor making a phonecall. A name field 104 is preferably located near the top portion of thecall device 101. The name field 104 may have information thatidentifies, for example, an incoming caller, an outgoing call recipient,the owner of the PDA 100, or a carrier of the mobile phone network inwhich the PDA 100 operates. In FIG. 2, “Swisscom” is the identificationin the name field 104. In this example, Swisscom is the carrier of themobile phone network in which the PDA 100 is operating. The carrierappears in the name field 104 while the phone is in standby mode. Adialer status icon 110 is preferably included near the top portion ofthe call device 101 to indicate to the user that the call device 101 isin standby mode. A ringer icon 111 indicates the style of ring that isset. In this example, the ringer icon 111 indicates the ringer of thephone device is set to vibrate mode. Other ringer icons may indicateaudible mode or silent mode.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows other features that may be initiated inthe call device 101. A user may initiate these other applications bypressing a button icon, such as a talk button 114, a speed button 116, aclear button 118, or an end button 120.

If a message has been recorded in the voicemail application, a voicemailindicator 112 preferably appears near the top portion of the screen ofthe PDA 100. In FIG. 2, the voicemail indicator 112 is an envelope icon.The presence of the voicemail indicator 112 is preferably controlled bya short message service (SMS), a voicemail application, or a combinationof both. SMS is a telecommunications tool that supports the transmissionof short text messages in a telecommunications network. A voicemailapplication is a telecommunications tool used to record voice messagesof an incoming caller when the phone call is not received or answered bythe PDA 100.

The voicemail indicator 112 preferably disappears if—there are nounheard messages. Whether the envelope remains on the screen after amessage is partly heard (or not deleted in the voicemail application) isdependent on the particular settings of the network in which thevoicemail application or SMS operates.

Additionally, the PDA 100 preferably has at the top of the screen asignal strength indicator 106 and a battery charge indicator 108. Thesignal strength indicator 106 indicates a relative quality and strengthof a signal that may be transmitted in a mobile phone network in whichthe phone device is located. The battery charge indicator 108 shows arelative amount of energy remaining in the battery of the PDA 100.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the hard buttons 128 is configured toinitiate the call device 101 when the hard button 128 is activated. Auser may activate a hard button 128 by pressing the hard button 128 whenthe PDA 100 is powered on and ready for input. In another embodiment,one of the soft buttons 126 is configured to initiate the call device101 when the soft button 126 is activated. A user may activate a softbutton 126 by using a stylus to press a portion of the display device132 that is configured to recognize a tap on the soft button 126.

The hard button 128 used to initiate the call device 101 may also beconfigured to initiate a suspension of a current application. A “currentapplication” is an application, other than the call device 101, that maybe running when the hard button 128 is activated. When a currentapplication is suspended, the current application remains active in thebackground by maintaining a memory allocation in a random access memory(RAM) of the PDA 100. In an alternative embodiment, the hard button 128is configured to initiate an ending or a cancellation, rather than asuspension, of the current application.

An example of a default screen of the call device 101 is shown in FIG.2. The talk button 114 preferably operates as a redial key if a userpresses the talk button 114 before inputting a phone number on thedialer pad 102 of the call device 101. Once the user starts inputtingdigits (by tapping on the screen or in the Graffiti™ area) the digitsappear in the name field 104.

FIG. 3 shows the display screen on a call device 101 of the phone deviceof the PDA 100 after a user has started to input digits of a phonenumber, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thecall device 101 is preferably configured to automatically andappropriately separate the digits by spaces and parenthesis, as needed.When the user has finished composing the correspondent's number, theuser may press the talk button 114 on the display device 132 to initiatethe phone call.

FIG. 4 shows the display screen on a call device 101 after a user pushesthe talk button 114 to initiate a phone call, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. When the talk button 114 ispressed, the phone device preferably searches in an address listapplication for the phone number that was inputted. The address listapplication is located in a memory of the PDA 100. If the number is inthe address list and is associated with a name, the name preferablyappears in the name field 104 of the call device 101. Additionally, aletter indicating the type of phone number preferably appears with thephone number. An example of a name and letter that can appear in thename field 104 is “John Smith-w,” indicating a phone call is beinginitiated to John Smith at work. Other letters may be shows “08:34” (or8 minutes and 34 seconds) to indicate the duration of the currentconnection.

FIG. 6 shows a screen of an address entry application 502, appearingafter the save button 303 of the call device 101 is pressed, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. When the savebutton 303 is activated, the address entry application 502 preferablydisplays the active screen of the display device 101. Otherapplications, such as the call device 101, can run in the backgroundwhile the address entry application 502 is active.

The address entry application 502 preferably includes a status bar 510.The status bar 510 of FIG. 6 indicates that the address entryapplication 502 is in “Address Edit” mode, and that the current addressentry is “Unfiled.” The address entry application 502 preferablyincludes identification fields 512. The identification fields 512 ofFIG. 6 include fields for inputting a “last name,” a “first name,” a“title,” a “company,” a “work” phone, a “home” phone, a “fax,” an“other” phone number, an “email” address, and a “home” address.

As shown in FIG. 6, the phone number dialed in the call device 101automatically appears in the work phone field 514. Here, the dialedphone number pre-populates the work phone field 514, which is set as thedefault. Other fields, such as the home phone field or the fax numberfield, may alternatively be set as the default for pre-population.Additionally, a user may activate a details button 508, which ispreferably configured to display more information, such as moreidentification fields 512. A user may also activate a note button 506,which is preferably configured to activate a note taking application inwhich the user can input notes about the current address entry.Preferably, by tapping on a done button 504, a user may go back to theapplication that was active before the address entry application 502.

FIG. 7 shows a call device 101 after a name is inputted in the addressentry application 502, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. The name field 104 in FIG. 7 displays the name inputted forthe correspondent on the other end. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.5, merely the dialed phone number is displayed before the PDA 100 has aname stored in memory. In FIG. 7, the name is shown to be “Timothy Tw .. . --w.” Here, the last name is truncated by ellipses. Also, the letter“w” after the name indicates that the name “Timothy Tw” is associatedwith a work phone number for Timothy.

The mute button 306 may be pressed to deactivate a microphone that ispreferably electrically connected to the phone device of the PDA 100.Deactivating the microphone blocks out transmission to the recipient, sothat conversations may take place at the sender's end without beingheard by the recipient.

In a preferred embodiment, the microphone is part of an earplug devicethat is plugged into the PDA 100. When the earplug device is plugged-in,the earplug devices is electrically connected to the PDA 100 and isconfigured to emit sound waves related to signals received from thephone device of the PDA 100. The earplug device allows the user to hearthe phone call. In an alternative embodiment, entirely unplugging theearplug device is substantially the same as tapping the mute button 306.The PDA 100 preferably emits an alert (e.g., two short beeps or aflashing light signal) to let the user know that the earplug isunplugged. If the earplug is unplugged, the preferred way to resumetalking is to plug back in the earplug device. When the earplug deviceis unplugged, the speak button 702 is preferably dormant and cannot beactivated.

FIG. 8 shows a display on a call device 101 after the mute button 306 ispressed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Preferably, when the mute button 306 is pressed, the microphone isdeactivated, and a speak button 702 replaces the mute button 306. Bypressing the speak button 702, a user may reactivate the microphone.

The end button 120 may be pressed to end the phone call. Alternatively,the phone call may be ended if the correspondent on the other end hangsup. Preferably, if the correspondent hangs up or if the PDA user tapsthe end button 120, the call is ended and the screen remains as is forabout 10 seconds. During such a lapse time, the call device 101preferably displays either the dialed number or the name (if there is aname by the end of the phone call). The timer stops and flashes to pointout that the phone call is over. While the number remains on the screen,the user may still tap the save button 303 to store the phone numberusing the address entry application 502. To cut short the 10 seconds oflapse time, the user may tap on the end button 120 again or tap anotherbutton to initiate another application. After about 10 seconds of lapsetime or after the lapse time is cut short, the call device 101preferably returns to the original default screen, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 shows display on a call device 101 after a phone call to thevoicemail application has been initiated, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. When the voicemail applicationcontains some unread messages, the voicemail indicator 112 preferablyappears near the top of the display device 132. A user may tap on thevoicemail indicator 112 to initiate a phone call to the voicemailapplication. To indicate that the voicemail application is being called,the display device 132 preferably displays “Voicemail” in the name field104 of the call device 101. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 4,the connecting icon 302 appears in order to indicate that the phonedevice is in the process of establishing a connection.

Process Overview

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of managing phone calls initiatedfrom a phone device of a PDA 100, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The method starts in step 810 where a call signalto initiate a call device is received. In a preferred embodiment, thecall signal is received by the phone device from a hard button 128, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2. The phone device interpretsthe call signal and then initiates the call device in step 812.Additionally, the display device 132 displays a selectable interface ofthe call device 101 in response to the call signal. An example of adefault screen of the call device 101 is shown in FIG. 2. In step 816, adial signal is received from the selectable interface to initiate aphone call. For example, a user presses a talk button 114 on the screenof the PDA 100, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. In responseto receiving the dial signal, the phone call is initiated in step 818.For example, the phone device begins procedures to transmit signals intoa mobile phone network to connect the phone call.

FIG. 11 is a more detailed flowchart of the method of FIG. 10, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The methodstarts in step 810 where a call signal to initiate a call device 101 isreceived, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 10. The call device101 is then initiated in step 812, as discussed above with reference toFIG. 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the PDA 100 determines if the phone deviceis in another current application, other then the call device 101. Ifthe phone device is in another current application, the PDA 100 suspendsthis current application in step 826. On the other hand, if the phonedevice is not in another current application, the PDA 100 does notsuspend another current application. In step 814, the PDA 100 displays aselectable interface of the call device 101 in response to the callsignal, as discussed above reference to FIG. 10.

In decision operation 830, it is determined if the talk button 114 ispressed or if digits are pressed on the dialer pad 102. If the talkbutton is pressed before digits are pressed, the last phone number thatwas called is redialed in step 832. The talk button, for example, is atouch sensitive icon on a display device 132 of the PDA 100. The talkbutton may operate as a redial key, as discussed above with reference toFIG. 2. A phone call is then initiated in step 818, as discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 10.

If, however, the digits are pressed on the dialer pad 102, the PDA 100displays numbers in the name field 104. For example, a user may inputnumbers on the touch-sensitive screen of the display device 101 in muchthe same way as inputting numbers into a touch-tone phone. The numbersthen appear on the display device 132, as discussed above with referenceto FIG. 3. In steps 816 and 818, a dial signal is received, and thephone call is initiated, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of managing a phone call initiatedfrom a phone device of a PDA 100, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. Upon initiating the phone call, it is determinedin step 850 if a name exists in memory for the phone number to bedialed. For example, the PDA searches a stored address book for a nameassociated with the phone number. If no name exists, then phone deviceproceeds to dial the number.

However, if a name does exist in memory, the phone number that it isdisplayed on the display device 101 is replaced with the name. Forexample, if the PDA finds “Timothy Tw . . . --” to be associated withthe phone number, then “Timothy Tw . . . --w” appears in the name field104, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 7.

The phone number is dialed in step 854. When a phone number is dialed,the PDA 100 attempts to connect with a device associated with the dialedphone number. While dialing, a connecting icon 302 is displayed in step856. The purpose of the connecting icon 302 is to indicate a phone callis being dialed, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4.

In decision operation 858, it is determined if a connection has beenestablished with the phone call. If there is a connection, a timerstarts in step 860. For example, the timer displays the duration of thecurrent connection, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 5. In step862, the phone call is conducted, which may involve the PDA 100 allowinga user to carry on a conversation with a person on the other end.

In decision operation 864, it is determined if the dialed number is tobe saved. If the PDA 100 does not receive a save signal to save thedialed phone number, it is determined in decision operation 868 whetherthere is still a connect ion. However, if the PDA 100 receives a savesignal to save the dialed phone number, the address entry application502 is initiated in step 866. As an example, the user may press the savebutton 303 during the middle of the phone call, as discussed above withreference to FIG. 5. The address entry application 502 is then initiatedand a user interface for inputting identification information isdisplayed.

The phone device continuously determines in decision operation 868whether there is still a connection. For example, the user may hang upby pressing the end button 120, or the dialed correspondent may end theconnection.

If there is no longer a connection, a lapse time routine is conducted instep 870. The lapse time routine preferably involves staying the screenas is for about 10 seconds, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 8.During the lapse time routine, it is determined in operation 872 whetherthe dialed phone number is to be saved. If the number is to be saved,then the address entry application 502 is initiated in step 866. Forexample, a user may tap the save button 303 to store the phone number,as discussed above with reference to FIG. 8. In decision operation 874,if it is determined that the lapse time routine is over, then the methodis done. For example, once 10 seconds of lapse time has expired, thecall device 101 returns to the original default screen, as discussedabove with reference to FIG. 8.

In short, the foregoing discussion with references to FIG. 10, FIG. 12,and FIG. 12, includes a method of managing a phone call initiated from aphone device of a personal digital assistant.

Hardware Overview

FIG. 13 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 900 uponwhich an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The preferredembodiment is implemented using one or more computer programs running ona portable computer, such as PDA 100. Accordingly, in this embodiment,the computer system 900 is PDA 100.

The configuration shown in FIG. 13 is for exemplary purposes fordiscussing the present invention. Many different combinations ofprocessing units, programs, memory units, and telephone devices(modules) will be apparent to those skilled in the art to performsimilar operations as required by the present invention.

Computer system 900 includes a bus 902 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, and a processor 904 coupled with bus 902for processing information. Computer system 900 also includes a mainmemory 906, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamicstorage device, coupled to bus 902 for storing information andinstructions to be executed by processor 904. Main memory 906 also maybe used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateinformation during execution of instructions to be executed by processor904. Computer system 900 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 908or other static storage device coupled to bus 902 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 904. A storage device 910,such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus902 for storing information and instructions.

Computer system 900 may be coupled via bus 902 to a display 912, such asa liquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying information to a computeruser. An input device 914 is a touch-sensitive LCD that interprets inputby sensing contact on the LCD. The input device 914 is coupled to bus902 for communicating information and command selections to processor904. Another type of input device 914 includes alphanumeric and otherkeys, and is coupled to bus 902 for communicating information andcommand selections to processor 904. Still another type of user inputdevice is cursor control 916, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursordirection keys for communicating direction information and commandselections to processor 904 and for controlling cursor movement ondisplay 912. This input device typically has two degrees of freedom intwo axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), thatallows the device to specify positions in a plane.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 900 for providingmobile phone applications in a PDA 100. According to one embodiment ofthe invention, mobile phone applications are provided by computer system900 in response to processor 904 executing one or more sequences of oneor more instructions contained in main memory 906. Such instructions maybe read into main memory 906 from another computer-readable medium, suchas storage device 910. Execution of the sequences of instructionscontained in main memory 906 causes processor 904 to perform the processsteps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitrymay be used in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are notlimited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat provides instructions to processor 904 for execution. Such a mediummay take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,and volatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical ormagnetic disks, such as storage device 910. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory 906.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards,papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aDRAM, a VRAM, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memorychip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in providingone or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 904 forexecution. For example, the instructions may be carried on a magneticdisk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructionsinto its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone lineusing a modem. A modem local to computer system 900 can receive the dataon the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert thedata to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector coupled to bus 902can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and place the dataon bus 902. Bus 902 carries the data to main memory 906, from whichprocessor 904 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructionsreceived by main memory 906 may optionally be stored on storage device910 either before or after execution by processor 904.

Computer system 900 also includes a communication interface 918 coupledto bus 902. Communication interface 918 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 920 that is connected to alocal network 922. As an example, the communication interface 918 isconnected to an antenna and performs wireless communications to anetwork, such as Internet ISP 926 or local network 922. In anotherexample, the communication interface 918 connects to a mobile phonenetwork to complete calls initiated by the process of the presentinvention. In still another example, communication interface 918 is anintegrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide adata communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.In yet another example, communication interface 918 is a local areanetwork (LAN) card that provides a data communication connection to acompatible LAN. In any such implementation, communication interface 918sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams representing various types of information.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication interface 918 is a phonedevice that communicates with a network carrier to make phone calls,including any of satellite, PCS, cellular, radio, landline, plain oldtelephone system (POTS), mobile, and other communication modes. Incomingcall indications (such as incoming call, caller ID, call status, etc.)are sent from the phone device to the call device 101 running on theprocessing unit via the bus 902. Although a bus is shown, any mode ofdata communication between the various modules may-be provided. The calldevice 101 initiates calls and directs call operations by sendingcommands to the phone device (via the system bus, for example).

Network link 920 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 920 mayprovide a connection through local network 922 to a host computer 924 orto data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 926.ISP 926 in turn provides data communication services through the worldwide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet” 928. Local network 922 and Internet 928 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thesignals through the various networks and the signals on network link 920and through communication interface 918, which carry the digital data toand from computer system 900, are exemplary forms of carrier wavestransporting the information.

Computer system 900 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 920 and communicationinterface 918. In the Internet example, a server 930 might transmit arequested code for an application program through Internet 928, ISP 926,local network 922 and communication interface 918.

The received code may be executed by processor 904 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 910, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 900 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

Scope

In this disclosure, including in the claims, certain process steps areset forth in a particular order, and alphabetic and alphanumeric labelsmay be used to identify certain steps. Unless specifically stated in thedisclosure, embodiments of the invention are not limited to anyparticular order of carrying out such steps. In particular, the labelsare used merely for convenient identification of steps, and are notintended to imply, specify or require a particular order of carrying outsuch steps.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method of managing phone calls initiated from a phone device of apersonal digital assistant, the method comprising: receiving a callsignal to initiate a call device; initiating the call device in responseto the call signal; displaying a selectable interface of the call devicein response to the call signal; receiving a dial signal from theselectable interface to initiate a phone call; and initiating the phonecall in response to the dial signal.